Chapter 3

First Mission

Its been a month since Akina joined the Hidden Leaf and she was settling in well. She met Neji, TenTen, and Lee. She met their teacher Guy. Akina found it weird how Lee was dressed like him and wanted to do what Guy did. Shikamaru had to pull her away before the two had her join the training. Shikamaru introduced her to his old teacher Asuma, who she discovered was the son of the Third Hokage and a member of the Guardian 12 Ninja. She saw how much Shikamru respected his teacher. She met Naruto's teacher Kakashi Hatake, who asked about Naruto and she let him know he was doing well, which made him happy. She met all the other teachers as the days went.

Akina was becoming good friends with Ino and Sakuru who helped Shikamaru out when he couldn't. TenTen and Hinata would join them at times for girls days and they would do lunch. Akina was starting to open up more, but still wouldn't tell them about her past quite yet. She wasn't sure if they would approve and she would have to explain the 10 tails in her. Mushu seemed to enjoy being here, but hated that Akina couldn't let him out to roam like she could at the Hidden Stone. Tsunade said she wasn't telling anyone yet for her own protection, but Akina knew it wouldn't take long for people to find out. Akina was still trying to convince her mother and the Elders to let her tell her friends that she held the 10 tails dragon, but it was still a no go. Akina didn't like hiding that from her friends.

Akina and Shikamaru were starting to get closer as friends. Their friends started noticing it right away. Shikamaru was excused from showing her around now that Akina knew the village well, but he continued showing her around. Akina found herself spending more and more time at the Nara house. She even made food for everyone one night and Shikamaru and his dad said the food was delicious. It didn't please the mom, but she couldn't argue. Akina started helping make dinner at night with Yoshiro. Afterwards. Akina and Shikamaru would play Shoji together into the late night. Tsunade seemed happy her daughter was making friends but not her coming home late at night. Tsunade and Shikaku wondered with their closeness if it will be more then friends but only time would tell. The two were very close.

Akina stood in Tsunade's office with Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino. Akina stood on Ino's other side as Shikamaru stood in the middle. They had been called for a mission. Akina was giddy. Finally, a mission and she got to go with her friends. Shikamaru shot her a glare as Akina bounced on her heals. She gave him a shrug. Tsunade even shot her a glare and she stopped what she was doing.

"This mission is to see why a village near the Hidden Leaf went silent. I'm sending Ino and Akina with for medical if needed." Tsunade said.

"Do we know what the situation is?" Choji asked as he finished a chip he was eating. Mushu opened his eyes as he listened into the conversation.

"No. Which worries us." Shizune said. The friends share looks.

"Your to scout and help those that need it. Only engage if forced to fight. Shikamaru is in charge of the mission. You leave when your ready to go." Tsunade said.

"Yes Mam." The four said. The four left and got ready for the mission.

The four met at the gates of the Hidden Leaf.

"Everyone ready?" Shikamaru asked. His friends nodded. "Let's go." Shikamara and Choji ran together and Ino and Akina right behind them.

"If we run at this pace we'll be there in an hour or 2." Akina said. Shikamaru nodded.

"Just be ready girls if anyone needs medical." Shikamaru said. The girls nodded in agreement. They jumped into the trees and started leaping across the branches.

"So what's with you and Shikamaru?" Ino asked. Akina looked at Ino as they landed on one of the branches.

"We're just friends." Akina said. Ino sent her a smirk.

"There's something there. You are closer to him then anyone else. You got a crush?" Ino asked. Akina's checks heated up.

"I am not ready for a relationship. Not yet anyways." Akina said. The memory of her ex flashed through her head. Akina looked at Shikamaru who was in front of her.

"He's nothing like you ex, little dragon." Mushu's voice rang through her head. Akina knew he was right. "I've watched you two closely. I like this boy more then your ex."

"I think you would like anyone that wasn't him." Akina said as she looked up at the dragon. He had been quiet for awhile but she knew Mushu was watching what she was doing. "So. What is this mission your being sent on?"

"A village that does trade with us has gone silent. We are being sent to investigate. Ino and I are being sent for medical help." Akina said. Mushu hummed like he was thinking.

"You going to need my help?" Mushu asked.

"You know I can't unless it's an emergency. And you know it." Akina said. Mushu left out a huff. "Don't huff at me. We want a place to stay right. We have to keep you a secret for now."

"Yeah. Let's see how long this lasts." Mushu said with an eye roll. Akina couldn't help but agree. It was getting hard to keep this a secret.

Akina landed on a tree branch and leaped into the air. Ino saw her watching Shikamaru and seemed to be having a conersation in her head.

"I'll take your silence as you might like him more then a friend." Ino said.

"I don't know right now. Can we focus on the mission for now." Akina snapped. Shikamaru looked over his shoulder at the two to see Akina glaring at Ino, who had a smirk on her face.

'What a drag. We don't need our team fighting.' Shikamaru said.

"Fine. We'll talk about this later." Ino said. Akina groaned.

"Shikamaru. How much farther?" Akina called.

"We're almost there. Will you two be able to get along til this is over?" Shikamaru asked.

"Yes." Ino and Akina said together. Choji sniggered as Shikamaru sighed.

They landed on the ground and ran towards the village. It looked empty. Akina didn't like that. They stepped through the gates and Akina saw villagers laying on the ground unconsious. Akina and Ino ran to the nearest ones. Akina put her fingers to the kids neck.

"Poison?" Shikamaru asked as he stood next to Akina. Choji was looking around as Ino and Akina share looks.

"No. Knocked out. With some kind of gas." Akina said as she stood up. She looked at Shikamaru. "I don't know what but it was enough to knock out the village." Shikamaru looked around. "I don't like this."

"I don't either. Choji. Ino. Search the other half of the village while me and Akina search the other. Stick together." Shikamaru said. Ino and Choji disappeared. Akina and Shikamaru jumped on the roofs. It was quiet. To quiet. Akina was looking out.

'To do this to a village. What kind of people would do this? Rouge Ninja? We know the Akatsuki are after the tailed beasts and Naruto and me are the only ones in the Land of Fire.' Akina thought. Shikamaru came to a stop and Akina landed right next to him.

"What is it?" Akina asked. Shikamaru was watching a corner of the house. Akina saw a shadow pass. "Shikamaru?"

"Just.." The ground started to shake the buildings. Akina's eyes widen as the ground shook. "Not good." Shikamaru and Akina jumped in the air. "You never told me what your Jutsu is."

"It never came up!" Akina said. They landed on the other roof but Akina nearly fell as the ground shook. Shikamaru grabbed her hand. Akina's eyes widen.

"I got you. This is a drag." Shikamaru said as he pulled her back up and one shift of the earth sent her flying into his chest. Shikamaru grunted as he wrapped his arms around her to steady themselves.

"Come down, Hidden Leaf Ninja. Let's see what you got." A voice said. Akina turned and saw a few men with Hidden Stone headbands on their heads but with the mark of a Rough Ninja. Shikamaru swore under his breath. "We only want the girl. The villagers are nothing to us."

"Why do they want you?" Shikamaru asked.

"I don't know." Akina said. But she had the stinking feeling that she knew what they wanted. Shikamaru let her go. Shikamaru and Akina jumped to the ground.

"It's just these two." One of the men said. Akina and Shikamaru share looks. It meant they didn't know about Choji and Ino. Akina didn't like this. Mushu was already awake when he heard that they wanted Akina. The men were eying Akina. Akina's hand went towards her Kunai that was on her leg. Shikamaru stepped in front of Akina.

"What do you want with Akina?" Shikamaru said. The men snikker.

"She hasn't told you what she holds." The leader asked. Akina felt her heart drop. "She's a Jinchuriki." Shikamaru got confused. Akina couldn't have the tailed beasts. They were all being held by another Jinchuriki. Well except the three tails. Akina backed up. "Get her!" The man made hand signs.

"Shikamarau!" Akina called as she tackled him out of the ground as earth shot up.

"What were they talking about. You can't be a Jinchuriki." Shikamaru said.

"Its the truth. I just couldn't tell anyone." Akina said. Shikamaru stared at her in shock. "I'll explain more later. I would of told you, but the elders told me to keep quiet for now. They are gonna regret it now." Akina shot to her feet. Akina did some hand signs, fast. "Woodstyle. Dragon capture!" Wood shot out of the ground, forming dragon heads and headed straight for the men.

'Woodstyle? But isn't that the First Hokage Jutsu?' Shikamaru said. The men tried to move but the wood wrapped around them.

"Good one." Shikamaru said. Akina nodded.

"You really think this will hold us?" The Leader snarled. Rocks blast up under the rocks. The men were freed. They go to move but they froze as blackness wrapped around them. Akina turned to see Shikamaru knealing on the ground with his hand up in a sign.

'Shadow Possesion Jutsu.' Akina thought. Shikamaru told her what his clan was good at that Jutsu and she finally was witnessing it for the first time. Shikamaru kept his eyes on the men.

"Human bullet!" A familiar voice said. A ball like thing came zooming over and hit the men. Shikamaru let the shadows come back as the men were knocked to the ground and unconsious.

"You guys alright?" Ino asked, running over.

"We're fine." Akina said as Choji came back to normal. The three went to the men. Akina looked around.

"What were they here for?" Choji asked.

"For me." Akina said.

"What? Why?" Ino asked. Akina went to open her mouth.

'Behind you!' Mushu shouted in her head. She was to late. Ground shot at them, sending them flying. Akina hit the ground, hard. Her ribs screamed at her. Akina struggled to sit up. 'Get up.' Men were approaching from every direction. Akina looked towards her friends. Ino was struggling to get up as well. Shikamaru seemed knocked out and Choji was pinned. Akina pulled herself onto her knees. She looked around. Analizing the men. "Now is an emergency. I can help."

"And feel the wrath of the Elders and my mother. I'm not gonna be in the mood to deal with tongue lashing." Akina said.

"Your boyfriend is about to get attacked." Mushu said with a hint of humor in his voice.

"He's not my boyfriend." Akina said, but she saw a man heading for Shikamaru. "Fine! Mushu. Now!" Akina jumped to her feet.

The men froze as a blast of Chakra was felt. Shikamaru opened his eyes. It was a strong Chakra. Stronger then the 9 tails.

"This Chakra." Ino said. Shikamaru turned looking for Akina and his eyes widen. Akina was standing up. An aurora surrounded her. It was a mixture of red and black. Her long purple hair was blowing in the wind. Her eyes opened to reveal them red as fire.

"Akina?" Choji said in shock. Tails started to come out of her back. Shikamaru saw she had control unlike Naruto did. There was no hate in her eyes, more of a calmness.

"Shikamaru. She has... She has 10 tails." Ino said, paling. They knew about the 10 tails dragon as one of the tailed beasts, but didn't know that Akina had it.

'We heard it was in the Hidden Stone, but Akina has it? Why would they keep it hidden from us.' Shikamaru said. A tail comes out of no where and picks the rock up that was on Choji.

"She has control?" Choji asked.

"Looks like it. Keep out of her way. We don't know how much control she has." Shikamaru said. Some of the men looked terrified at the sight before them. The leader had a look of hate on his face for her. Akina smiled.

"You messed with the wrong Jinchuriki." Akina said.

"Get her." The Leader snarled. Men charged. Akina seemed to disappear. Gasps came from the men. Akina appeared behind a man and kicked him in the back hard. The man fell. The men charged and the tails came out and grabbed all of the men and knocked them together, knocking them out. Men that were still there ran for their lives. The Leader stood there. Akina turned on him. "Giving up?" The Leader looked at the men that were either fleeing or laying unciousiousness.

"This isn't over, girl." The Leader snarled. Shadows wrapped around the man. Akina felt the Chakra disappear as Mushu brought back his Chakra.

"For now. It is." Shikamaru said. Akina pushed her hair out of her face. She looked at her friends with a calm like face. "Akina. What.."

"What was that?" Ino and Choji finished for them.

'Might as well. You got a crowd.' Mushu said. Akina looked around and eyes widen. Villagers had woken up and were looking in shock at Akina. Her friends looked even more surprised. Akina lowered her head.

'Sorry, mom.' Akina thought. Akina held her head high as she looked at her friends.

"Yes. I am am the Jinchuriki of the 10 tails Dragon." Akina said. Everyone stood in silence and Shikamaru knew that they were in trouble. Now they didn't just didn't have a 9 tails Jinchuriki, but they also had the 10 tails Jinchuriki.

'This is a drag.' Shikamaru thought as talks started to spread through the villagers.

AN: Wasn't planning to introduce the 10 tails this soon but it worked in my favor with how the story is going. Sorry if I am bad at fight scenes. Till next time.